Northern Ireland star Niall McGinn hails Euro 2016 win over Ukraine

Niall McGinn says scoring the goal which sealed Northern Ireland's first win at a European Championship finals was "the best moment of my life".

Gareth McAuley headed home his eighth international goal early in the second half in Lyon before substitute McGinn added a second in a 2-0 victory over Ukraine to spark scenes of relief and delight in the stands, on the pitch and on the bench.

It was Northern Ireland's first win in a major tournament since the 1982 World Cup and was in stark contrast to their Euro 2016 opener four days earlier, when a loss to Poland in Nice had left them staring at elimination

The victory could yet be enough to see them progress to the last 16 in France, even if they lose to Germany in Paris next Tuesday.

For McGinn, whose first international goal came in a 1-1 draw against Portugal, it was an event that eclipsed everything he had previously experienced, 

"I think that's going to be the best moment of my life, I scored on the European stage and there were millions watching around the world," he said.

"To score against [Cristiano] Ronaldo on his 100th cap was obviously a special moment, and the first goal is always special, but to score in a major tournament against the best in the world - I don't think anything can top that."

Aberdeen's McGinn always believed that if he were to make an impact, it would have to be from the bench, and so it proved as he swept home in stoppage time after Stuart Dallas' effort had been parried out.

It was McGinn's introduction against Hungary in their first Euro 2016 qualifier that turned the tide as he scored one and made another in a 2-1 victory and he is not averse to the role of super-sub.

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"If it keeps working, why not," he replied.

"I'll be over the moon with it. No, for me personally I was just delighted to get on the pitch and play some minutes. I was disappointed not to get on against Poland but I've worked hard behind the scenes and I've kept my head right.

"The manager, management team, and players have all come up to me and said, 'Well done for biding your time, you just got rewarded by coming on and scoring like that'."

"For me to score was unbelievable, and to celebrate in front of our fans was incredible. It was perfect that both goals came in front of the fans, it repaid the faith that the fans have shown us in the tournament so far."

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